Sushi is probably one of the most popular Asian food. Besides being an irresistibly yummy treat, it is also very appealing to the eye. The combination of colorful ingredients with sticky rice and seaweed make the sushi extremely decorative. A quick and indispensable solution if you want to impress your guests. However, the way you roll the sushi is pretty important since that is how you give its final look. If you don’t have a quality rolling mat, then you might be in trouble, and all your efforts might vanish in the haze. In short, mats play a crucial role on how your sushi will turn out in the end. For that reason, you would need the best sushi rolling mat that is flexible, and durable.
In general, sushi mats are made from bamboo. However, we will review other types today. You can also check out the best bamboo sushi mats from this article. It is somewhat mandatory to cover the bamboo mats with plastic wrap each time you want to make sushi. Otherwise, you will have a hard time cleaning them afterwards. That is why some people prefer plastic mats instead; they are much easier to maintain and clean as they are dishwasher safe.
Here is my best sushi rolling mat list that contains non-stick plastic and silicone options.
Lekue Makisu Silicone Sushi Mat, Clear
- The silicone sushi mat offers innovative properties to help make quick,...
- Retains neither odors or flavors
- Non-stick surface can be used with or without nori
- Dishwasher Safe. Easy to store.
- Can easily be folded and stored without deforming the mat for maximizing...
If you ask me; the silicone sushi mats are superior to plastic ones. I think they provide better hygiene simply because the food cannot accumulate in any part of this. You don’t have to waste time trying to poke out the sticky rice that gets stuck in the tiny holes or around the strings because this one includes none of them. Trust me; it makes your life way easier. It is in its nature of the sushi rice to get stuck everywhere, that’s why we call it the sticky rice.
If you are dealing with a sticky mat, then you are in trouble. It would be very hard for you to produce a good looking, firm sushi roll. Do not even get me started on the sushi with the rice on the outside and the sticky mats. This silicone mat on the other hand is completely non-stick and is very easy to use. You can roll the sushi without issues, and the final result looks absolutely stunning.
The first thing I noticed when I got my Lekue makisu mat was its incredible flexibility. It is easy to fold and wrap. This makes it perfect for sushi rolling, and also for easy storing once you are done making sushi. You can keep it in the kitchen drawer with all the other utensils. However, it is the easy cleaning that I fell in love. Since there is nothing stuck on the silicone mat, you just rinse and put it in the dishwasher. This product is specifically made for not keeping any odor and flavor. So, you don’t have to worry about any of the fish or other ingredients to leave heavy odor on the mat.
The material used in the production of this advantageous sushi mat is platinum silicone. It can withstand to very high and low temperatures (-60°C to 220°C). Food safety is ensured; it repels water and germs. You don’t have to grease or butter the mat. It is important for me that any piece of equipment or tool that gets in contact with my food to have the highest hygiene standards.
The company truly managed to bring the innovation and tradition together. In my opinion, they have all the right to call this product revolutionary. I know how some people are traditionally fond of the bamboo mats, but this is much easier to use. Besides, it provides the same quality results. I like bamboo mats too, but I can never pass on the easy to use and even easier to clean features of this smart mat. I don’t have to cover the mat with plastic wrap when I make sushi with this one. Last but not least; it is also very economically priced.
Features:
- 4 x 8.2 x 1.4 inches
- Weighs 3.2 ounces
- Dishwasher safe
- Odor and flavor free
- Non-stick
- Includes recipes
Fuji Merchandise FMK-MG PLS Sushi Mat, One Size
- A must buy item.
- Built to last.
- Great item to Give as a gift.
This is an easy to use plastic sushi mat produced by Fuji. They specialize in sushi and other Eastern food making utensils and tools. If you are looking for a plastic mat that is also a professional grade sushi roller, then this is the one.
The surface of the mat is specially designed for direct contact with the food, so you don’t need to cover it with plastic wrap. Plus, it is more sanitary with the easy to clean features. You can wash it in the dishwasher machine. If you try that with the bamboo mat, then you will either mess the mat or the dishwasher.
Not every plastic mat can handle quality sushi preparation. This is probably, one of the best options when it comes to making sushi with a mat because of the design and material used in its production. It includes strings in between the plastic sticks for increased flexibility. I suggest you use the textured side when making the roll, so that the rice or the seaweed would not get stuck on it. Besides, the other side provides better grip when you are rolling.
Note that it is really easy to shape the sushi roll with this one due to the fact that it is firm and steady. Your sushi mat must be a bit rigid, so that you can apply some pressure to form the perfect shape. In case if you are wondering, it is also great for the inside out rolls like Maki.
Features:
- 10 x 9.5 x 10 inches
- Weighs 5.6 ounces
- Dishwasher safe
- Non-stick
- Made in Japan
Pat& Doris Non-stick Plastic Sushi Mat/Makisu
- Super durable,The strings are drilled thru plastic that protects the...
- Designed for professional chefs to show off the chef’s elegant skills on...
- Nonstick surface no plastic wrap required, Save mony and time.
- Smooth surface resists dirt accumulation, Easy to clean and dry quickly,...
- Food grade P.P. material which meets FDA and Japan MHLW...
Bamboo mats will indeed provide a more consistent shape to your sushi roll since the plastic versions are a bit flimsy in comparison. However, I think that is a feature that you can trade off easily, because the sushi roll never sticks to the non-stick plastic mats. It is incredibly easy to remove it off the mat.
Since we are talking about bamboo mats, I should mention that this one resembles them in terms of design. It includes strings in between the sticks like the traditional mats. The only difference from a bamboo mat and this plastic version is the material used. Otherwise, it looks the same. Moreover, it also provides excellent flexibility that is much needed when you are rolling the sushi. Therefore, you can prepare your sushi with confidence, assuring that you can control the overall shape.
The non-stick surface also resists moisture and dirt accumulation. It dries fast after you wash, but I suggest you use the machine as it is dishwasher safe. Note that it does not retain any flavor or odor. The material used is of high-quality food grade plastic that is FDA approved. I like the fact that it is versatile. You can use it for many other food preparations as it can withstand to very high and low temperatures ranging -4°F to 248°F.
Features:
- 8 x 9.8 x 0.1 inches
- Weighs 5.6 ounces
- Dishwasher safe
- Odor free
- Non-stick
- Made in Taiwan
Hasegawa Plastic Sushi Rolling Mat
- 10" x 9.5" Makisu
- Made In Japan
- Commercial availability
- Smooth wrapping
Hasegawa plastic sushi mat is made in Japan and it is good for both home and commercial use. It provides extremely smooth rolling thanks to the polypropylene and monofilament material. It is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning purposes. The maximum heat resistant temperature is 120°C. I think it is a good option for making decent sushi. Pricewise, it is only a few pennies less than the other plastic mats listed above.
I don’t think it is environmentally right to wrap the sushi roller with plastic each time you use. It is just plain wasteful. And for that reason, I prefer plastic mats over bamboo. I own a few bamboo mats since I started making sushi with them. But I would opt for the plastic ones if I knew about the plastic wrapping issue back then. However, if you are a sushi chef making hundreds of sushi each day, then I would understand your need for more flexibility with the bamboo wraps. This one does not require any wraps since it is made non-stick. It comes in two different colors to choose from.
Features:
- 5 x 4 x 0.8 inches
- Weighs 5.6 ounces
- Dishwasher safe
- Non-stick
- Choose blue or green color
- Made in Japan
Akebono Japanese Plastic Nonstick Surface Sushi Mat
- Original design by Akebono Co.
- Made in Japan
- Nonstick surface ideal for making inside out sushi roll
- Makisu
Here is another one of my favorite plastic sushi mats. I like products with innovative and unique features. It shows that the company is willing to take one more step to provide a better experience for its customers. There are tiny little dots on the surface of the plastic mat that helps to release the sushi roll easier. They are tine but the impact they have is huge.
The balance between the rigidity and flexibility is very important and tough to achieve when it comes to sushi mats. You need your mat to be firm to be able to form a good shape for the sushi, but you also need it to be flexible during the rolling. Akebono made it perfect so that you will never deform the sushi while rolling; the flexibility and durability is close to what a standard bamboo mat offers. You might need to adjust if you are accustomed to using bamboo mats regularly, but it won’t take long to adapt. Just roll it on its own a few times to lose the stiffness before first use.
You don’t have to worry about breaking any strings like the ones on the bamboo mats. It is a durable product that is built to last. Your sushi rice will never get stuck on it because it is made non-stick. Cleaning is a breeze too since you can put it in the dishwasher.
Features:
- 6 x 3.6 x 1.4 inches
- Weighs 1.6 ounces
- Dishwasher safe
- Non-stick
- Made in Japan
In Conclusion
Bamboo mats may traditionally be the best choice for sushi rolling, but some people opt for plastic and silicone versions for better sanitation. I think these non-stick mats are a great alternative, and they ease the sushi making process with low maintenance and the dishwasher safe feature. Plus, they are compact and easy to clean, and who would not like that? For personal taste, I like the silicone mats without strings better since there is no place for the food to accumulate; they are simply more hygienic. Lekue Makisu Silicone Sushi Mat
